Page - 69 - in Reflective Cosmopolitanism - Educating towards inclusive communities through Philosophical Enquiry

HANADI (MANUAL) 69 When we discuss reciprocity, the usual categorization differentiates between two ge- neral types of reciprocity: positive or mutual acknowledgement reciprocity, and negative or revenging reciprocity. If we see reciprocity as a way of responding with an action equi- valent to the action the other party used on us, we may associate the positive with the phrase “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” as it implies doing to the other what the other did, or is going to do. We could illustrate negative reciprocity with the phrase “An eye for an eye”. Reciprocity is a very broad concept containing many issues ranging from ethical or moral issues (such as making promises), to financial issues (such as work or commercial contracts). However the idea of reciprocity is not as clear in relation to emotional ques- tions. For example, if one person likes another person, does that mean that the other person should return that affection? If a man is in love with a woman, does that mean that the woman must be in love with the man? Activity/Exercise: Reciprocity Ask students if there is a reciprocity relation in the following situations. (This exercise can be done as an activity, putting your students in a line, and telling them to take one step to the right if there is a reciprocity relation, or one step to the left if not. Then, ask some of them to give a reason as to why there is or is not such a relation. They also can be asked to include whether it is a positive or a negative type of reciprocity. After listening to the reasons, students can change their position). 1. I do my brother’s share of housework if he does the same thing for me when I need it. 2. If my brother lends me his computer, I lend him my bicycle. 3. My sister helps me with my homework and I, in turn, teach her to play bas- ketball. 4. If mum gives me some money, I help her clean the bathroom. 5. My father works in a garage and the owner pays him a monthly salary in ex- change. 6. If I am close to you, you are close to me. 7. My classmate lets me use his red pencil if I let him use my black one. 8. My classmate lends me her notes when I miss class if I do the same thing for her. 9. I help you with your Mathematics homework if you help me with my English homework. 10. If a friend invites you to a party, you invite him to the cinema. 11. If a muffin costs the same as a bun, then the bun costs the same as the muffin. 12. If your grandmother gives you a present, you give her a kiss. 13. If you behave, I will give you a sweet. 14. If somebody pushes you, you push back. 15. If a neighbor helps you to carry your groceries, you give him some of your groceries. 16. If your neighbor smiles, you smile back. 17. If your mother makes you lunch, you make her some coffee. 18. If someone gives up her seat for you because you have a foot in plaster, you will give your seat up to somebody else at some other time.